Last updated: October 10, 2026
If you didn't get the DAT score you were hoping for, you're probably asking yourself:
- Should I retake the DAT?
- How many times can I take it?
- Will multiple attempts hurt my chances of getting into dental school?
These are some of the most important questions pre-dental students face — and the answers directly impact your application strategy.
This guide explains how many times you can take the DAT, how dental schools evaluate multiple attempts, and when a retake actually makes sense.
How Many Times Can You Take the DAT?
The American Dental Association (ADA) permits a maximum of four DAT administrations in any 12-month period, with at least 60 days between testing attempts. If you complete four attempts within that period, a fifth cannot occur until 12 months have passed from the date of the first of those four attempts. Candidates with three or more attempts must apply for permission to test again and provide proof of recent application to dental school with each subsequent application. After the fifth DAT attempt, candidates may retest only once per 12-month period. Each attempt requires a new application and examination fee.
There is a mandatory 60-day waiting period between testing attempts. Count this interval from the previous testing attempt, not from the date you receive the score report. Use the exact 60-day requirement rather than assuming that two calendar months always equal 60 days.
Key rules to remember:
- Maximum four administrations in any 12-month period, subject to the additional permission and post-fifth-attempt restrictions above
- Minimum 60-day wait between attempts
- If you have tested more than once, the ADA reports a history of all testing attempts to your authorized results recipients
- Each dental school determines how it evaluates the reported history; check the policy of each school you plan to apply to
This is commonly referred to as the DAT retake policy, and every pre-dental student should understand it before scheduling another exam.
Do Dental Schools See All Your DAT Scores?
Yes. If you have tested more than once, the ADA reports a history of all testing attempts to the schools or other recipients authorized to receive your results. You cannot request that completed attempts be removed simply because you prefer a different score.
However, how schools use that history varies:
- Does the school prioritize a complete score report from a particular attempt?
- Does it evaluate individual sections across attempts?
- How does it consider score changes and the number of attempts?
- What are its current score-age requirements and reporting deadlines?
Always check each school's specific policy before deciding to retake. Many schools are transparent about this on their admissions pages.
This is why your DAT retake strategy matters. Schools receiving your results have the reported history available, but each school determines how it evaluates that information.
Does Retaking the DAT Look Bad?
A retake can be part of an application plan, but there is no universal admissions rule about whether one or two retakes are viewed positively or negatively. Ask your target schools how they consider repeated attempts and score changes.
What can raise concerns:
- Three or more attempts with no improvement — review your preparation and any documented testing circumstances before planning another attempt
- A score that decreases on a retake — ask your target schools how they evaluate changes across attempts
- Retaking without changing your study approach — doing the same thing and expecting different results rarely works
Before a DAT retake, identify what you intend to improve and how you will prepare differently. A higher score does not guarantee admission, and the effect of another attempt depends on each school’s policies and the rest of your application.
When Should You Retake the DAT?
Consider retaking the DAT if:
- Your scores fall below your target schools’ published requirements or the expectations suggested by their dated entering-class profiles
- Unusual circumstances affected your test day. Review the Candidate Guide’s emergency or testing-problem procedures and deadlines promptly, rather than assuming that an ordinary retake is the only option
- Your preparation and official results suggest areas for further work. Remember that the ADA’s official practice questions are not intended to predict examination performance
- You have identified specific weak sections and have a plan to address them
Do not retake the DAT if:
- Your scores meet your target schools’ requirements and you have no clear, school-specific reason to retest
- You don't have time to prepare properly before your application deadline
- You haven't changed your study approach since your last attempt
Should You Retake the DAT More Than Once?
If you are considering more than one retake, review your preparation, the current attempt limits, and each target school’s policy before applying to test again.
Three or more completed attempts trigger the ADA’s permission requirement for further testing. That testing rule is separate from how a dental school evaluates your application.
When reviewing your preparation for another attempt, consider:
- Improvement
- Stronger academic readiness
- A clear change in preparation strategy
If you do not yet have a clear preparation plan, consider whether more preparation would be useful before scheduling another attempt.
How to Improve Your DAT Score Before a Retake
Students often ask which DAT study materials are actually used in real courses. The DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer are the core books used in Dr. Jim Romano's DAT preparation classes, both online and in person.
The most important step before a DAT retake is changing your approach.
Here's what actually works:
- Identify weak sections using your score report
- Focus on understanding concepts, not memorization
- Build your preparation timeline around your needs, available study time, school deadlines, and readiness
- Use challenging, concept-driven practice materials like the DAT Destroyer
- Consider working with an instructor — Dr. Jim Romano's DAT and OAT preparation courses are designed specifically to help students improve before reapplying
Learn how to structure your preparation here:
DAT Destroyer 3-Month Study Schedule 2026: A Proven Plan for DAT Preparation
➡️ Start here for free
https://orgoman.com/pages/start-your-dat-preparation-for-free-official-resources-from-dr-jim-romano
What DAT Score Do You Need to Avoid a Retake?
The DAT reports scores from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments; this reporting scale took effect on March 1, 2025. There is no official passing score or universal score that determines whether you should retake. Review the score type and current official examination norms, and compare your results with each target school’s requirements and dated entering-class profiles.
- Check individual section scores as well as composite scores
- Use the applicable official norms for the correct score type when reviewing percentile standing
- Confirm each school’s current minimums, score-age limits, and evaluation policy directly
- Do not treat an entering-class average as a guaranteed admissions cutoff
Learn more about DAT scores and percentiles here:
DAT Score Percentiles: How to Interpret Your Score and Improve Your Chances
Resources to Help You Improve Your DAT Score
- DAT Destroyer — the most rigorous DAT prep book available, built on concept mastery
- Math Destroyer — master the quantitative reasoning section
- General Chemistry Destroyer — deep preparation for one of the hardest DAT sections
- Dr. Jim Romano's Biology Review — comprehensive biology coverage
- DAT and OAT Classes — in-person and online with Dr. Jim Romano, creator of the Destroyer series since 2006
Join the DAT and OAT Destroyer Study Group on Facebook — a supportive community of pre-dental students sharing strategies, resources, and encouragement.
Dr. Jim Romano, creator of the DAT Destroyer and founder of Orgoman, has been teaching DAT preparation for over 35 years and has helped thousands of students improve their scores.